For three days, sporadic thunderstorms had provided only momentary
relief from the 90° heat oppressing residents of New Orleans. As Pan
American Pilot Kenneth McCullers taxied his 153-ft-long Boeing 727 into
position for takeoff at New Orleans International Airport, a column of
thunderclouds towered 35,000 ft. into the air. A drenching rain was
punctuated by 20-m.p.h. gusts and streaks of lightning. Through the
haze, McCullers could see only two miles ahead.